Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Tanzanian counterpart on reports of (a) forced evictions of, (b) excessive use of force against and (c) arbitrary detention of Maasai people in that country.
The British High Commission has met with the Government of Tanzania, Maasai community leaders and non-government organisation (NGO) representatives to better understand the challenges faced by all parties, and to support an open and constructive dialogue. It is clear from those discussions that meeting the needs of growing populations of pastoralists and livestock in ways that are environmentally and economically sustainable in northern Tanzania is a complex matter. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and support engagement by the parties involved, including to address any humanitarian issues.